49ers year-old regime has players’ approval

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John Lynch, 49ers general manager, and Kyle Shanahan, 49ers head coach, left to right, discuss the future of the team during a season-ending press conference at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. (Gary Reyes/ Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reacts during an interview after a press conference on Feb. 9, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (center) poses for a photo session with his brothers, Tony, (first from left), Mike, (second from left), Billy (third from left) and his parents, Denise, (second from right) and Tony, (right) after a press conference on Feb. 9, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde scores against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, right, celebrates after scoring with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Rams tight end Derek Carrier, top, is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive back K’Waun Williams (24) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Aldrick Robinson #19 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown with Louis Murphy #18 and Kyle Juszczyk #44 against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 and Joe Staley #74 rush to the aid of Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after he was injured on a play involving Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers eludes John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams on a pass play during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Sean Mannion, left, is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Sheldon Day during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Samson Ebukam #50 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin gestures as he comes onto the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

San Francisco 49ers’ Marquise Goodwin (11) reaches back to catch a touchdown pass in front of New York Giants’ Janoris Jenkins (20) during the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ Asa Jackson (31) runs with the ball after an interception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Nick Vannett #81 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a touchdown pass over Antone Exum #40 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL football at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Garry Gilliam (76) stands on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

San Francisco 49ers’ Leon Hall (20) forces Jacksonville Jaguars’ James O’Shaughnessy (80) out-of-bounds after a catch in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers tight end Logan Paulsen, top, is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Brandon Stewart after a catch during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)

San Francisco 49ers’ Dontae Johnson (36) celebrates his interception and touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Cassius Marsh #54 of the San Francisco 49ers reaches for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leger Douzable (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Coyle (50) gestures to the fans while playing the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. San Francisco defeated Jacksonville 44-33. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Carolina Panthers’ Russell Shepard (19) is pushed out-of-bounds by San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid (35) in the third quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, September 10, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) smiles one the sidelines during their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars late in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gestures to the crowd as he walks off the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. San Francisco defeated Jacksonville 44-33. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ Carlos Hyde (28) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a touchdown pass to San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch congratulates San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during the final minute of the fourth quarter of their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. San Francisco defeated Jacksonville 44-33. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked against Jacksonville Jaguars’ Yannick Ngakoue (91) in the third quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks on the sidelines during their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) waves to the crowd before their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars for their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

SANTA CLARA — Center Daniel Kilgore had a very telling comment about the 49ers year-old regime, fresh off signing his three-year contract to shun free agency.

“For the first time in a long time, I think our coaches and the front office are on the same page,” Kilgore said on Wednesday’s media conference call announcing his deal.

Kyle Shanahan is the fourth coach Kilgore has played for since 2011, and a blend of stability and uniformity has developed among Shanahan and John Lynch, who replaced Trent Baalke as general manager.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is also on that “same page.” Upon signing his NFL-record deal last week, he said a compelling to get it done now was to benefit the 49ers (see: Shanahan and Lynch).
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch congratulates San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during the final minute of the fourth quarter of their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. San Francisco defeated Jacksonville 44-33. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

“It’s only going to help our team going forward, going into free agency,” Garoppolo said of the upcoming recruiting season.

The Shanahan-Lynch dynamic is another selling point as the 49ers head into free agency with some $60 million in salary cap space.

When the 49ers acquired Garoppolo in an Oct. 30 trade from the New England Patriots, you didn’t see Shanahan or Lynch fighting to take credit for it. Lynch had the history with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who offered him a last chance at continuing his playing career. It was Shanahan who received Belichick’s Oct. 30 call suggesting a trade, and it was Shanahan and Lynch who conversed together for 10 minutes to agree on the deal.

How did they deduce Garoppolo was worth a massive contract? Collaboration, not to mention they simply opened their eyes like everyone else.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reacts during a Q&A at a press conference on Feb. 9, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

“Kyle and I spent a lot of time, as I said, just observing the person, watching the way he interacted with his teammates, watching the way they responded to him,” Lynch said last week. “And for me, hey, there’s never any assurances, but there are qualities that the really good players in this league, the great players in this league, that they share. And he demonstrated a lot.”

As much as coaches and general managers evaluate players, the same holds true vice versa. Players want to know if they can trust their bosses, if one will make promises another one may not keep.
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Jed York, the 49ers’ CEO, is understandably encouraged by the 49ers’ direction, one year into giving Shanahan and Lynch six-year deals.

“I feel like Kyle and John are a very good partnership,” York said last week. “Knowing Kyle and knowing how he thinks about football and knowing what his vision is for the team, I felt very good — even when we were 0-9 — I felt like our locker room was a lot tighter than what I’ve seen in 49ers locker rooms in the past with much better records than that.”

Those old locker rooms he speaks of where from the 2011-13 playoff seasons, when Jim Harbaugh came to the 49ers rescue as coach and ultimately clashed with Baalke. Then came Jim Tomsula. Then Chip Kelly.
San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York, right, poses with the team’s new general manager John Lynch, left, and head coach Kyle Shanahan at a press conference, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Kilgore was there for it all. He acknowledged getting nervous at his 2018 fate as last season unfolded, not knowing if the new regime would discard him like so many other Baalke holdovers.

“Talking one-on-one with various coaches, I had a positive outlook for the future,” Kilgore said. “The coaches have an opinion of you but there’s also the front office. That’s a totally different thing.”
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A different regime has bred more than a different roster.

“I’d venture to say 90 percent (of the roster) is all new from two years ago,” Kilgore said. “It’s just amazing for a team with so many guys from different backgrounds, different teams and different age groups, how well we mesh together and how well we get along with each other.”

Added Garoppolo: “We’re working in the right direction. Like John (Lynch) said earlier, there’s a lot of pieces that come into play. I think we’re putting those pieces into place, and now once the season comes, we have to actually go out there and perform. That’s really what this league is about: going out there, executing, and performing on Sundays, and the results will speak for themselves.”

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